VietNamNet Bridge – A survey conducted last year of nearly 2,600 Vietnamese families shows that one-third of them support same-sex marriage.

The study was conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute. Respondents included 5,297 people 18 to 69 years old in eight provinces and cities.

Le Quang Binh, head of the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment, told representatives and lawmakers during a meeting on Monday in HCM City that nearly 38 per cent of them support the proposed Law on Marriage and Family which would legalise same-sex marriage.

"This is not a low rate. While Canada prepared to legalise same-sex marriage, the country's support rate for the bill was only 36 percent. We have to be patient about this. I hope when the law is approved, it will help educate people," the gay-rights advocate said.

Around 72 per cent were neutral, saying that the proposal would not affect them, and 56 per cent said they supported adoption for same-sex couples.

At least 51 per cent said same-sex couples should share possession and 47 per cent said they should have inheritance rights.

"Viet Nam has had a big change in the gay rights movement. The media is free to debate the issue," he added.

An online survey of 2,438 homosexuals showed that nearly 90 per cent of them wanted to live with their same-sex partners.

Seventy per cent of them said they would be able to have a long-term, stable living conditions and security in their old age.

About 47 per cent said they need to live together to share financial expenses.

Ngo Quang Loc, a graduate of University of Economics and Law, said: "I hope the support rate for same-sex marriage would be 40-45 per cent, but discrimination against gays has declined in recent years," he said, adding that he would get married when the law is approved.

Loc, who is gay, hopes that with the approved law, his parents will better understand and support him.

Binh said that many homosexuals chose to marry heterosexuals to protect themselves against social discrimination.

Despite positive trends, 40 per cent of the respondents said they would likely marry heterosexuals to avoid discrimination.

"It's possible that 600,000 people in the future will have husbands or wives who are homosexuals," Binh said.

Source: VNS